Oh man, I am SO SO SO SO sorry. I totally gave up on this story, but then had this sudden burst of inspiration. I've been really busy as well, I have Finals all of next week, so I'm killing myself studying and getting like 6 hours of sleep every night. As of this day, I will be a better author, BELIEVE IT. So just for you guys, I wrote an extra long chapter. At least I hope its longer-ish. Just know I tried to cut it off at an appropriate moment. =)

Itachi had woken up at the crack of dawn, and this was normal for him, because being a Konoha shinobi meant waking up early to train. He got his weapons ready, and gently set them in the pouch that was tied to his thigh. Closing the door behind him, Itachi looked up to the sky. It was still dark outside, but the east side of the village was basking in a golden glow from the sun's rising. He had recently been experiencing emotions he had never felt before, and he hated not knowing what to expect. Tucking his bangs behind his ear, he took a deep breath and broke into a sprint.

The pounding of his feet against the ground was like music. A continuous rhythm. Thump Thump Thump Thump Thump Thump. Just 4, 329 more steps until I get to the training ground. 7 more hours until Sasuke is waking up. 3 days until I see Naruto again. 81 hours to plan what to say, what to do, how to react.

Itachi heard footsteps behind him, and he increased his speed. No one could keep up with him.

"Itachi? Itachi, wait!" Itachi froze. He would know that cheerful voice anywhere.

"Naruto?" Itachi whispered. No reply came. Uncertainty crept into his mind, and ridiculous scenarios made their way into his head. He turned slowly around, scared it wouldn't be the person he wanted; but there he was, shining in all his glory, Uzuamki Naruto.

Greetings were exchanged, and a strange silence settled over the two. Itachi, being the oldest, was the one to break it.

"What are you doing up so early in the morning?" He asked, nodding up at the sky to prove his point. Naruto remained quiet; staring at the roof of the building they were standing on and occasionally sneaking glances at Itachi. Being an Anbu captain, Itachi caught all of these and they only made his ego bigger.

"I... I was going to train. And I saw you come by, and I guess I wanted... to train with you?" Naruto whispered shyly. He looked up at Itachi with wide blue eyes and the most innocent expression Itachi had ever seen, and Itachi had seen a lot of innocent faces. And I end up killing them all...

Naruto saw the horrified expression on Itachi's face and took it for rejection.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I, uh, am heading to another training ground. So yeah, bye, Itachi-sama." He stuttered. No, no, no, no! No! I'll train with you. I will. If only I could get... the blood, the screams, the fear, out of my head. Think of Naruto. Naruto's smile. His whiskers, his eyes, his lips. His voice.

"I could come with you! I'd enjoy helping you train very much." Itachi said, snapping out of his stupor. Naruto stopped himself from jumping up in relief.

"Thank you, Itachi-sama." He beamed, wiping his sweaty hands on his bright pants.

Itachi nodded and took off. He looked nervous. I wonder why?

After Naruto failed to dodge several expertly thrown Kunai, Itachi suggested a break. In fact, Itachi was starting to feel the strain of so little sleep.

"So, how's Sasuke?" Naruto asked as he leaned against a tree. The rough bark scratched him, so he lay on the ground instead. He subconsciously started to pluck grass from the ground; although his eyes were boring into the sky.

"He's fine." Itachi answered shortly. He so badly wanted to hold that hand. Without even thinking, he placed his hand over Naruto's, halting his bad habit. Naruto sat up and looked at their hands. He then looked up at Itachi's wide eyes. He grinned. Why is he smiling? Is something funny? I need an excuse for holding his hand.

"You were ruining the grass." Itachi stated. He tried his best not to blush as bright as a tomato.

"Was I really?" Naruto asked, raising his eyebrows. He liked teasing Itachi, it was his favourite pastime nowadays.

"Yes."

"Hmmm. No one has ever bothered to stop me before."

"..."

"It's okay, you know."

"What is?"

"You wanted to hold my hand."

"..."

"Itachi? Itachi? Itachi! Are you okay?"

"Are you okay? Itachi, answer me! ITACHI?" Itachi heard a voice yelling at him. But are they really yeling? Are they just loud? He slowly opened his eyes, and when his eyes had finally adjusted to the bright lights being shined in his eyes, he saw a blue eyed kitsune looking down at him.

"Naruto. How long have I been passed out?" He croaked. Has my voice always been this... scratchy?

"Itachi! About two hours... so, how are you feeling?" Naruto chirped; he was kneeling beside Itachi, and his hands were fluttering over Itachi's body, looking for a place to rest. Itachi ignored Naruto's questions and struggled to sit up, and if it wasn't for Naruto's firm hands pushing him back down, he might have actually succeeded.

"No. I will not let you get hurt again. You are staying here," Naruto's voice faltered when he saw Itachi's pained expression, "at least until the color has returned to your face."

"When did you become such a nurse?" Itachi whispered, a small smile appearing on his face when Naruto blushed.

"Never. I'm simply worried about an acquaintance." Naruto huffed, crossing his arms.

"I'm only an acquaintance? Not even a friend?" Itachi asked, and his smile widened as Naruto frowned.

"No, you're a friend." Naruto retorted.

"Alright. I prefer being a friend, then." Itachi genuinely smiled, but it was wiped off his face as Naruto looked down at his lap. Oh no. I didn't mean that. I want to be something more, Naruto. Only when you're older.

Naruto didn't answer. Itachi watched as the small boy's body started to tremble and his fists clenched. Itachi panicked and sat up, ignoring the pain that seared through his whole body. Wrapping his arms around the blonde, he raised a quivering hand to the boy's head and gently stroked the soft hair. The trembling finally stopped and Itachi slowly let go, as much as he wanted to hold on forever.

"I think I should go home." Naruto said. His voice was emotionless. I must have really hurt him.

"You did." Naruto growled, looking up at Itachi with tears forming in his sky blue eyes. He hadn't realized he'd said it out loud.

"Naruto... forgive me. I didn't mean it in that particular way." Itachi said, frowning at his Kitsune. There I go, claiming him again...

''What other way is there?'' Naruto asked helplessly. Itachi was stuck. He couldn't tell him. Not yet.

''You'll... have to figure it out yourself. One day you'll know, Kitsune.''

''Kitsune?''

''What about it?''

''Why did you call me Kitsune?''

''It's an affectionate name, don't you think?''